TunerWire Live

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R35 GT-R Eastern Creek 1 minute 38.9 seconds lap video

Following up on our article about the great performances by the R35 GT-R's at Eastern Creek International Raceway this weekend, you can now watch an in car video of Duncan's 1 minute 38.9 seconds lap here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Videos/forrest_ec_8aug10.html

created on 2010-08-10 by adamr.

New tech article: "How to get the fastest lap times from your adjustable shock absorbers / dampers"

We have had a number of enquiries lately from customers asking us us "how can I get the fastest lap times from my adjustable shock absorbers / dampers ?"

We have published a new technical article today on this topic, which you can find here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/susp_adjust.html

created on 2010-08-10 by adamr.

R35 GT-R's Blitz Eastern Creek In The NSW Supersprint Series

A huge congratulations to Sydney based drivers Duncan Forrest and Marek Tomaszewski who have today posted blisteringly fast times in the NSW Supersprint Championships in their pair of Nissan R35 GT-R's at Eastern Creek International Raceway (home of the 2010 World Time Attack Challenge).

Duncan's charcoal R35 and Marek's white R35 have been extremely competitive in the series this year and have been battling for the championship lead.

Marek's white R35 GT-R is sponsored by The Tuners Group and runs an Aeromotions R2 Static Wing and JRZ Suspension.

The times so far this season ...

Back in February, the class 4D lap record at Eastern Creek was 1 min 42.41 sec. The old record had stood since 2005.

In March Duncan said "As ever though, i had to find a way to up the ante for the 2010 season. That's where the Aeromotions R2 wing comes in".

Duncan then added an Aeromotions R2 Dynamic Wing and slicks to his car and in March Duncan broke the 5 year old record at Eastern Creek by a massive 1.3 seconds, posting a lap time of 1 min 41.087 seconds. There is an article here about Duncan smashing the old record in March here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/TunerWire_Live/forrest_EC_record.html

On 16 May the series again visited Eastern Creek with Duncan bettering his March time by a further .89 sec, posting a 1:40.195. Marek posted a 1:42.8074.

Today's times

Today (8 August 2010) the R35's visited Eastern Creek again for the latest round of the NSW Supersprint Series ...

With Duncan's May time of 1:40.195 set as the benchmark to beat, Marek's white R35 was prepared with some modifications before today's event including a set of JRZ Suspension.

Today Duncan posted a great time of 1:38.9376 in the charcoal R35 (beating his 16 May time by 1.257 second). A great improvement of 1.257 seconds in less than 3 months.

Not to be outdone, on his 6th timed lap of the day, Marek in the white R35 posted a lap of 1 minute 38.8263 seconds, bettering Duncan's laptime set in May by 1.369 seconds to beat Duncan's best time today by 0.1113 of a second.

These times are very pleasing indeed and to put Marek's lap time in perspective in terms of how fast the times have improved, Marek's lap time today is a massive 3.59 seconds under the old February 4D Lap record that had stood since 2005, and 2.26 seconds under the record that Duncan set in March.

Marek's time today beat his own 16 May lap time of 1:42.8074 by a massive 3.9811 seconds - an improvement of almost 4 full seconds over his May lap time set less than 3 months ago.

The May 16 lap times can be verified here ...

http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?16/05/2010.ARDC.S1

Today's August 8 lap times can be verified here ...

http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?08/08/2010.ARDC.S1

You can view an incar video of Duncan's lap from the weekend here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Videos/forrest_ec_8aug10.html

Comments from the driver and from The Tuners Group about the result

Marek said about his time ...

For this event we added E85 fuel, JRZ Suspension and good tyres to the white R35 and Duncan added JRZ Suspension and new tyres to the charcoal R35.

We ran baseline shock settings provided by a team overseas. The car was very balanced but there is still more time in it once we dial in the JRZ suspension.

I am very pleased with the new personal best, particularly as this car is my daily driver.

Adam Richardson, Managing Director of The Tuners Group said about the times ...

Congratulations to both these drivers on some absolutely incredible lap times !

Marek's time of 1 minute 38.82 is an incredible time for any car around Eastern Creek, let alone a road registered daily driver.

It's always extremely satisfying for us to see cars like Marek's which we sponsor posting new benchmarks at tracks around the country, and clearly the bar has been raised yet again both in the NSW Supersprint Series and in the R35 track racing community generally in Australia.

We spend a lot of time at The Tuners Group advising teams on what parts will help them improve their laptimes, and how to get the best "bang for the buck" from your racing budget.

Just as we knew that the aero changes made to both these cars earlier in the season would improve their lap times, we also knew that the JRZ Suspension would help these cars drop their laptimes even further as the NSW Supersprint Championship nears the end of the season.

So it's great to see the parts choices translated into lower laptimes, and we look forward to seeing how much faster these cars can go once some testing to dial in the JRZ Suspension has been done.

Via our Racecar Engineering & Development Team which is currently in discussions with a number of teams about ways to further develop their cars for next year's World Time Attack Challenge / Superlap and other events, expect to see more cars in the future reaping the benefits of our expertise, knowledge and advice.

Parts Info

The Tuners Group is a supplier of JRZ Suspension, the exclusive authorised Australian distributors for Aeromotions Dynamic and Static Wings, the exclusive Australian distributors for Works Bell (and one only 2 exclusive national distributors for Works Bell worldwide outside of Japan), and one of only 8 authorised overseas distributors for ARC worldwide listed on the ARC website.

Our range of Works Bell Paddle Shifters and Quick Releases for the R35 as featured on GTRblog.com can be found here (similar packages are also available for a range of other cars) ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/r35_gt-r_ps_bundles.html

Information about our range of ARC intercoolers and exhausts (including for the R35 GT-R) can be found here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Online_Store/ARC_R35_IC.html

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Online_Store/ARC_titan_exhaust_R35.html

For more information on our range of JRZ Suspension, click here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Products/JRZ_Suspension.html

Information on our range of JRZ Suspension for the R35 GT-R can be found here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Products/JRZ_Suspension_R35.html

Information on our range of Aeromotions Dynamic and Static Wings can be found here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Products/aeromotions.html

More info about the parts combination run on the white Tomaszewski R35 can be found here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Cars/tomas_r35.html

Racecar Engineering & Development Services, Other Sponsored Cars, Customer Cars

Information about The Tuners Group's Racecar Engineering & Development Team, made up of a small team of extremely experienced experts who are available to help improve the lap times of your car is here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/engineering/

You can view some of the other cars which we sponsor including Mark Berry's Advan Hi Octane Racing R34 GT-R and the Pilatus R35 GT-R in our customer cars gallery here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Cars/index.html

created on 2010-08-08 by adamr.

Want to be able to run two different steering wheels in your car ?

We've had a number of requests lately from drivers who want to be able to run two different steering wheels in their car, and to be able to swap them over quickly and easily depending on what kind of driving they are doing that day.

Some drivers like a flat bottom D shaped steering wheel for circuit work, but prefer a round steering without a flat bottom for other types of driving.

Other drivers prefer a leather steering wheel for some types of driving but a suede steering wheel for other types of driving.

Some drivers prefer a deep dish steering wheel like a Nardi Deep Corn for some kinds of driving and a steering wheel with less dish for other types of driving.

In the past such drivers would unbolt their steering wheel, have to mess with the horn wiring etc, and have to then bolt their other steering wheel to the boss or quick release. Doing that every time you want to swap your steering wheel gets old pretty fast.

Another application for this is if you are running in an endurance event with multiple drivers driving the same car, and each driver wants to use their own favourite steering wheel for their stint.

The Solution

We put our thinking hats on and have come up with a simple solution to allow you to swap between different steering wheels quickly and easily - in a matter of seconds.

For drivers and teams who want to be able to use two or more steering wheels in the same car, the socket section of the Works Bell Rapfix II Quick Release is now available on it's own.

The socket section is available in a range of colours as well as a stealthy black version.

The socket section of the Rapfix II is attached to the back of your steering wheel as shown above (pictured above with the optional glove friendly Works Bell Flipper attached to the Rapfix II). The socket section then engages with the plug section of the Rapfix II which is bolted to your car's steering boss.

So you simply bolt a Rapfix II socket section to each of your steering wheels, wire the horn button to the Rapfix II socket section, and then you can swap steering wheels in seconds.

Because the Rapfix II includes horn contacts that automatically engage and disengage when you attach and detach your steering wheel, you can also now change steering wheels with no messing around with wiring every time you want to swap wheels.

You simply pull on the release collar on the Rapfix II to remove your steering wheel from your car, then attach the other steering wheel and go.

What parts do I need to do this ?

The socket section and plug section are shown in the image above. The socket is on the left of the photo and the plug section on the right of the photo.

So if you already own a Works Bell Rapfix II quick release, all you need is a second socket section and you can then swap your steering wheels in a matter of seconds.

If you don't yet own a Rapfix II Quick Release, then you need:

1 x Rapfix II Quick Release (full system - socket and plug sections) and
1 x Rapfix II Quick Release Socket Section Only

You can find the Rapfix II Quick Release Socket Section Only on our website here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Online_Store/rf2_socket.html

You can find the Works Bell Rapfix II Quick Release (full system - socket and plug section) here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Online_Store/Works_Bell_Rapfix_II_Steering_Wheel_Quick_Release.html

If you're looking for a new steering wheel for your car, check out our range of Works Bell, Momo, Nardi, Sparco and Personal steering wheels here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Online_Store/browse/cat/Steering_Wheels.html

created on 2010-07-31 by adamr.

Racecar Engineering Services Now Available From The Tuners Group

The Tuners Group is able to offer a specialised range of race engineering and development services for your track car or race car.

Our Engineering & Development Team is a small highly specialised team including extremely experienced race engineers and aerodynamics experts.

Our Engineering & Development Team can provide both professional racing teams and privateers with access to specialised engineering skills and knowledge which many teams do not have inhouse.

Our development team is able to provide the full range of services needed to take your car to the next level.

Services available include:

• General racecar engineering development
• Suspension engineering, development, design, setup and tuning
• Aerodynamics development including aero optimisation and design and aero tuning
• Braking systems design and development
• Trackside engineering support
• Custom parts design, development, machining and manufacturing

Click here to learn how we can help you make your car go faster ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/engineering/index.html

created on 2010-07-26 by adamr.

Epic Honda NSX Nurburgring Video

We were sent a link this week to this amazing video about a pilgrimage by a Honda NSX to the Nurburgring.

Click here to view this amazing video ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Videos/format67_nsx.html

created on 2010-07-24 by adamr.

What does "dry carbon fiber" mean ? The questions to ask when someone tells you their parts are "dry carbon fibre"

Lately we have been seeing more and more companies referring to their carbon fibre parts as being so called "dry carbon".

"Dry carbon" is a term which can potentially lead to confusion.

We don't refer to any of the parts we sell as "dry carbon". Instead we aim to always identify exactly what kind of carbon fibre is used.

Click on the link below to read the rest of this article, with:

• info about various carbon fibre manufacturing methods
• videos of carbon fibre manufacturing techniques, and
• a list of questions you can ask anyone who says that their parts are made from "dry carbon" ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/dry_carbon.html

created on 2010-07-11 by TTG.

An interesting use for the Works Bell Paddle Shifter NEO Universal on Mark Berry Advan Hi Octane Racing R34 GT-R

One of our products that is being used for more and more innovative uses is the Works Bell Paddle Shifter NEO Universal.

Though it is primarily designed for use as a paddle shifter for changing gears, we have used them in a number of applications for custom switching applications - virtually anything where a driver needs a switch but needs to keep his hands on the steering wheel while activating that switch.

One example of the versatility of this product for use in custom switching applications occurred a few days before the World Time Attack Challenge ...

Mark Berry's Advan Hi Octane Racing R34 GT-R has a custom control system developed by the team, which allows Mark to control the torque split between the front and rear wheels.

Mark wanted a simple way to be able to adjust the torque settings from the driver's seat with gloves on.

As soon as we heard what he wanted to do, we knew the Works Bell Paddle Shifter NEO Universal was perfect for the job.

Works Bell organised one of the Universal Paddle Shifter NEO's for the R34 on a very short lead time and it was express freighted from Japan and fitted to Mark's car just before the World Time Attack Challenge, and connected to the custom torque control system in the car.

Here are some photos of it installed in Mark's R34 ...

A Works Bell Paddle Shifter NEO Universal is used to control the custom 4WD torque split system in Mark Berry's Advan R34 GT-R

A Works Bell Paddle Shifter NEO Universal is used to control the custom 4WD torque split system in Mark Berry's Advan R34 GT-R

Other Uses For The Works Bell Paddle Shifter NEO Universal

The Works Bell Paddle Shifter NEO Universal is just that - a universal product.

It's uses are limited only by your imagination.

A Works Bell Paddle Shifter NEO controls the sequential transmission in this European Subaru WRX rally car

We have had customers fit the Paddle Shifter NEO Universal on everything from BMW M3 CSL's run at the Old Nurburgring, a GM powered hot rod, and the 500hp 6-litre engined Revo off road racer which won the South African Absa Off Road Championship for special vehicles.

We also had one customer who wanted to use a pair of Works Bell Paddle Shifters to control the trim tabs on a ski racing boat.

For vehicles which have shift buttons in the steering wheel, the Paddle Shifter NEO allows you to replace your factory steering wheel with an aftermarket steering wheel, but retain control of the semi-automatic sequential transmission

For racing vehicles, you can use the Paddle Shifter NEO to activate electrical systems like:

• car to pit radio
• pit lane speed limiter
• nitrous oxide system
• as dash display and data logger scrolling controls

If the system uses an electrical switch, the Paddle Shifter NEO Universal can control it !

The Works Bell Paddle Shifter can be used to control a range of electrical systems such as pit lane speed limiter systems

If you use a relay system, you can set such racing systems so that for example one pull on the paddle shifter as you enter pit lane activates the pit lane speed limiter, and a second pull on the paddle shifter as you exit pit lane turns the pit lane speed limiter off.

The Works Bell Paddle Shifter can be used to control car to pit radio systems

Similarly, instead of having to keep your thumb on a "push to talk" button for your car to pit radio system, a simple pull on the paddle shifter can start your radio transmitting back to the pits, and a second pull puts your radio back into receiving mode. This frees your hands for steering, and eliminates the need to hold down the radio button while you are trying to steer.

You can install it with simple indicator light on the dash showing you when your radio is transmitting ... which is handy if your racing is series is televised live if you tend to swear at the antics of other drivers !

Do you have a custom switching application in your car that a Paddle Shifter NEO Universal could be the perfect solution for ?

Click here for full product info on this versatile product ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Online_Store/Works_Bell_Paddle_Shifter_NEO_Universal.html

created on 2010-07-07 by adamr.

New on DVD - Porsche 935 Moby And The Warhorse Gang

A few years back we distributed what is without doubt the best video production ever published about the Porsche 935.

Called "Porsche 935 - Moby And The Warhorse Gang", it is was written by Bruce Anderson (author of the 911 Performance Handbook and contributor to Excellence Magazine) and produced by video producer Dave Koehn.

It was only available on VHS video tape, and we sold out many many months ago.

The great news is that this outstanding production has now been digitally remastered and released on DVD, and is now available from The Tuners Group.

This DVD runs for a massive 3 hours and 45 minutes !

World renowned Porsche scribes Excellence Magazine said of this video production ...

... there is little else in print or on video that will be more satisfying to 935 and turbocharged Porsche enthusiasts than Porsche 935: Moby and the Warhorse Gang.

You can find full specs on the cars, drivers and races featured in the DVD here and there is also a preview video online so that you can check out some of the footage.

Click here for full info, to order your copy, and for a link to the preview video - we ship worldwide ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Online_Store/moby_dvd.html

created on 2010-06-29 by adamr.

Cobb Tuning R35 GT-R Now Running Aeromotions R2 Wing

An article published by Aeromotions reads ...

"We are pleased to announce that COBB Tuning upgraded to an Aeromotions R2 wing. This new wing will help keep the 800hp GT-R glued to the track. It’s simply one of the baddest cars you’ve ever seen on track. Here’s the post from their blog.

Big-power and high-speeds demand efficient and effective aerodynamics to keep the tires planted, especially when racing around the “roval” of Auto Club Speedway at 180mph!" ...

“I am very impressed with our new Aeromotions wing,” said GT-R driver Brian Lock.

“We were able to balance out our aero package with 3 degrees less angle than our previous wing. This tells us that the Aeromotions aerofoil is extremely efficient, creating the same downforce with less drag.

This should definitely show on the time sheets at tracks like Auto Club Speedway where drag is a major problem. And considering the 180+mph speeds reached at that track, knowing that this wing is built to withstand the huge aero loading gives me the confidence to push that much harder.” "

Full info on our range of Aeromotions Wings can be found here ...

http://www.tunersgroup.com/Products/aeromotions.html

created on 2010-06-25 by adamr.